Hearing Program Officer (HPO) Appointment Memorandum (HPO)

The Hearing Program Officer (HPO) appointment memorandum is an AR 25-50 compliant memorandum used to formally designate a Soldier or DA Civilian to serve as the unit's Hearing Program Officer (HPO). It documents the appointee, references DA Pam 40-501 (Army Hearing Program), and is signed by the commander.

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Regulation reference

DA Pam 40-501 — Army Hearing Program (January 2015)

Proponent: USAPHC / AIPH

Grade requirement: E-5 (SGT) minimum

Slots: Primary required per unit

Memo type: MEMORANDUM FOR

When is the HPO memo needed?

Most Army units appoint a Hearing Program Officer (HPO) (HPO) when a new commander takes charge, when the previous appointee PCSes, ETSes, or is reassigned, or when the unit's mission set changes in a way that requires renewed appointment. The memo is also required for unit inspections — including CIP, CCIR, and command climate reviews — where the DA Pam 40-501 program is evaluated.

The appointment memorandum is the foundational document that establishes the appointee's authority under DA Pam 40-501. Without a current, signed appointment memo on file, the unit's Hearing Program Officer (HPO) program is non-compliant — even if the appointee has all required training certificates. Inspectors will look for: a signed memo with current date, a grade that meets E-5 (SGT) minimum, and training/certification documents matching the appointee on the memo.

On EvalMe, the HPOmemo is one of 39 AR 25-50 templates that auto-cites the correct regulation, uses the proper format, and integrates with your unit's address book and signature blocks.

Required training for HPO

Hearing Program Officer Course (HPO Certification)

System: Local Army Hearing Program (typically at MTF)

Timing: Before assuming HPO duties

Frequency: Initial + refresher per CAOHC standards

CAOHC certification required. Includes DOEHRS-HC system training.

Hearing Protection Device (HPD) Fitting Certification

System: Local hearing program / IH Program Manager

Timing: Initial

Frequency: Per CAOHC standards

Required for fitting hearing protective devices to unit personnel

Documentation required on file

Appointment memo signed by unit commander
HPO Course completion certificate (CAOHC certification)
DOEHRS-HC system access training certificate
HPD fitting certification
Unit Hearing Readiness/Conservation Program (HRCP) SOP
Unit hearing testing roster (annual schedule)
DD Form 2215 (Reference Audiogram) — for each soldier
DD Form 2216 (Hearing Conservation Data) — for monitoring audiograms
DA Poster 40-501A (posted in industrial/noise-hazardous areas)
Records of issued hearing protective devices

What inspectors look for

Verify HPO appointment current. Verify HPO has current CAOHC certification. Verify annual hearing testing for all unit personnel (TOE units especially). Verify reference audiograms on file. Verify monitoring audiograms current. Check MEDPROS Hearing Readiness Classification (HRC) status. Verify hearing protective devices available and issued. Verify noise-hazardous areas have proper signage (85 dBA and 140 dBP contours). Confirm DA Poster 40-501A posted.

Additional notes

ARNG/USAR units coordinate hearing testing through state-level public health resources or installation MTFs during AT/drills. State J-1/J-9 manages AHP for ARNG. Audiologist (AOC 72C) typically appointed at state level as Hearing Program Manager (HPM). DA Pam 40-501 is pamphlet (not AR) — important distinction for regulatory citation.

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EvalMe drafts AR 25-50 compliant appointment memorandums with the correct regulation citation, address block, and signature line — free, no credit card.

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Other appointment memo types

UPL — Unit Prevention Leader →USO — Unit Safety Officer →OPSEC — OPSEC Officer / Program Manager →EOL — Equal Opportunity Leader →CBRN — CBRN Defense Officer and CBRN NCO →UMO — Unit Movement Officer →ARMORER — Arms Room NCOIC / Unit Armorer →KEY-LOCK — Key and Lock Custodian →PSO — Physical Security Officer →CSM-SEC — Command Security Manager →CLASS-CUST — Classified Document Custodian →MAINT-O — Maintenance Officer →DISPATCH — Dispatcher →FST — Field Sanitation Team →FSO — Food Service Officer →UECO — Unit Environmental Compliance Officer →FEC — Facility Environmental Coordinator →PMC — Unit Self-Help Pest Management Coordinator →ATIS_TRAIN_ADMIN — ATIS Training Administrator (formerly DTMS Administrator) →HRH — Hand Receipt Holder / Primary Hand Receipt Holder →HAZ-CERT — Hazardous Cargo Certifier →URSO — Unit Radiation Safety Officer →ASO — Aviation Safety Officer →OIC-RSO — Range OIC and Range Safety Officer →CFR — Command Family Readiness Representative →GPC_CARDHOLDER — Government Purchase Card (GPC) Cardholder →UPAR — Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) →SPPM — Suicide Prevention Program Manager (SPPM) →UVAO — Unit Voting Assistance Officer (UVAO) →ATO — Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) →TRAINING_OFFICER — Training Officer / NCO →SHARP — SHARP — Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program →RECORDS_COORD — Records Coordinator / Records Manager / Records Administrator →MAIL_CLERK — Mail Clerk / Mail Orderly / Official Mail Manager →FIRE_WARDEN — Fire Warden / Building Manager / Evacuation Coordinator →COMSEC_CUSTODIAN — COMSEC Custodian →ENERGY_MGR — Installation Energy Manager / Energy Conservation Officer →CRIME_PREV — Crime Prevention Officer / NCO →

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